This autumn, the skies above Paris are set to become the stage for a spectacle unlike anything Harry Potter fans have seen before. On September 30, and October 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10, the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes will host the DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™, an open-air drone performance produced by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Fever.
We sat down with a member of the Fever team to find out what fans can expect from this ambitious fusion of technology, music, and storytelling.
A New Kind of Magic in the Sky
Each evening, more than 1,200 drones will form illuminated tableaux inspired by some of the most iconic moments from the Harry Potter films, including a nod to the thrill of a Quidditch match, all set to the saga’s beloved musical score, performed live by an electric violinist.
But the experience doesn’t end when you look up. On the ground, organizers have built an immersive world around the show, with themed food stands, merchandise, and interactive LED wristbands that let every attendee become part of the performance.
“DroneArt Show offers a completely new way to rediscover the world of Harry Potter,” our contact explained. “Thanks to the drones, the sky becomes a new storytelling space, where the images come to life in rhythm with the music.”
Where Art Meets Technology
What sets this apart from a typical fan event or exhibition, according to Fever, is the way the drones function as a genuine artistic medium, not just a visual gimmick. “The drones become a real means of artistic expression, capable of bringing characters, objects, or entire scenes to life in the sky,” they said. “It’s a true meeting point between art and technology.“
Pulling that off, however, is no small feat. The biggest challenge, our interviewee noted, was achieving razor-sharp synchronization between all 1,200 drones, the music, and the visual narrative: a process that demanded extensive programming, design work, and testing.
Music sits at the heart of the show’s storytelling. The choreography was built around iconic pieces from the Harry Potter universe, some of which will be reinterpreted live on electric violin. True to the spirit of the franchise, though, the exact setlist is being kept under wraps. As for which scene to watch most closely? The team wouldn’t say: “the show was designed as a genuine narrative, where the music and the aerial formations respond to one another. Every new tableau holds its own surprise.”
Why Vincennes?
The choice of location was as much about logistics as atmosphere. The Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes was selected for its capacity to safely host a large-scale outdoor drone show — meeting the technical and operational requirements involved in flying thousands of drones above a large audience.
The venue’s layout also plays a direct role in the audience experience, offering strong sightlines, good acoustics, and space for full immersion, all while maintaining the safety perimeter required for the drone deployment. And while the format travels internationally, each staging is tailored to its venue: meaning the Vincennes edition has been designed specifically around the hippodrome’s own characteristics.
Rediscovering a Beloved World, 25 Years On
Asked what they hope fans will feel walking away from the show, our contact reflected on the balance between nostalgia and novelty: “The idea is to return to a world that has accompanied several generations, while discovering it in a completely new form. We want to create that fairly unique feeling of encountering something you know very well, while feeling like you’re seeing it for the first time.“
The DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ takes place at the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes on September 30 and October 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10. Get your tickets.
The full conversation
Read our complete interview with Fever
What can visitors expect from the DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ in Vincennes?
On September 30, and October 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10, the skies of Vincennes will become the setting for DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™, an open-air drone show created by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Fever. Over the course of these evenings, more than a thousand drones will form aerial tableaux inspired by iconic scenes from the Harry Potter universe, set to the film score and accompanied by an electric violinist. Designed to immerse the audience in this world, the experience continues on the ground with an immersive atmosphere, food stands, and entertainment. Spectators, equipped with LED wristbands, become true participants in the experience themselves.
What makes this experience stand out from other Harry Potter events or experiences offered to fans?
DroneArt Show offers a completely new way to rediscover the world of Harry Potter. Thanks to the drones, the sky becomes a new storytelling space where the images come to life in rhythm with the music. And the immersion doesn’t stop at the aerial show — it continues with a live electric violin performance, interactive LED wristbands in the colors of the different Houses, and an atmosphere designed to draw spectators into the saga’s world from the moment they arrive.
Can you give us a preview of the characters, creatures, or iconic Harry Potter moments fans will see appear in the sky?
Over the course of the evening, 1,200 drones will bring to life tableaux inspired by the films’ cult scenes — including a nod to the Quidditch match!
Without giving too much away, is there a particular moment fans should watch for?
It’s hard to choose just one without spoiling the surprise! The show was designed as a genuine narrative, where the music and the aerial formations respond to one another. So every new tableau holds its own surprise.
How many drones will be used during the show, and what makes this technology especially suited to bringing the Harry Potter universe to life?
1,200 drones will be used for this experience. The drones become a genuine means of artistic expression, capable of forming characters, objects, or scenes in the sky. It’s a true meeting point between art and technology.
What were the main technical or creative challenges in creating this show?
The main challenge is the extremely precise synchronization between the 1,200 drones, the music, and the visual storytelling. That represents a great deal of work — programming, design, and testing.
How was the connection between the music and the drones’ movements developed to create a true narrative in the sky? And which pieces from the saga can we expect?
Music is the throughline of the show. The choreography was built around iconic pieces from the Harry Potter universe, some of which will be performed on electric violin. That said, we’re keeping the track list secret to preserve the surprise.
Why was Vincennes chosen to host the DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ in the Paris region?
The Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes was selected for its ability to host a large-scale open-air drone show, and to meet the technical and operational requirements needed to safely present a show involving thousands of drones in front of a large audience.
How important is the venue and its surroundings to the experience offered to spectators?
The layout of the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes allows us to offer the audience excellent visibility, good listening conditions, and an immersive experience, all while maintaining the safety perimeter required for the drone deployment.
Are there any features specific to the French edition of the show that fans won’t necessarily find elsewhere?
Each performance is adapted to the venue hosting it and its technical characteristics. In Vincennes, the experience has been designed specifically around the setting and layout of the hippodrome.
What else can visitors expect on-site besides the DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ — exclusive merchandise, stands, and more?
The immersion begins the moment guests arrive, with a food and merchandise area inspired by the saga. Each spectator can also choose an LED wristband in the colors of their House, which lights up and changes color in rhythm with the experience.
After 25 years of movie magic, what do you hope fans will feel seeing the Harry Potter universe come to life in such a different way in the skies of Vincennes?
The idea is to return to a world that has accompanied several generations, while discovering it in a completely new form. We want to create that fairly unique feeling of encountering something you know very well, while feeling like you’re seeing it for the first time.
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